Walker Montgomery Signs With CAA & Preps For Grand Ole Opry Debut

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Pictured (L-R): CAA’s Kylen Sharpe, Walker Montgomery, Range Media Partners’ Jenni Tackett and CAA’s Sabrina Butera. Photo: Courtesy of CAA

Walker Montgomery has signed with CAA for exclusive booking representation. He is also set to make his Grand Ole Opry debut on Dec. 1.

The Kentucky native’s family legacy is deeply planted in the roots of country music. Son of artist John Michael Montgomery and nephew of Montgomery Gentry‘s Eddie Montgomery, Walker is ready to play to the Opry audience, many of whom are no doubt fans of the boot-stomping, generational country he grew up on while watching his dad play on that very same stage.

The young entertainer has already achieved plenty of milestones in his own career over the last few years, such as releasing his EP Work To Do, but stepping into the circle is definitely high on his list of goals.

“Country music has been my life for as long as I can remember,” he shares. “The fact that I get to play the Opry is an absolutely surreal feeling and truly an honor.”

Marcus K. Dowling Receives CMA Media Achievement Award

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Pictured (L-R): K. Michelle, Marcus K. Dowling and Jelly Roll. Photo: Josh Brasted/CMA

Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean’s country music reporter in Nashville, was recognized with the 2023 CMA Media Achievement Award on Monday (Nov. 6).

Jelly Roll & Marcus K. Dowling. Photo: Josh Brasted/CMA

The CMA Media Achievement Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of print and internet journalists, columnists, authors, editors, television writers, producers, bookers and syndicated radio reporters in the media as they relate to country music. The award is voted on by publicist members of the Country Music Association.

Dowling was surprised with news of his win backstage at Bridgestone Arena during rehearsals for The 57th Annual CMA Awards by five-time CMA Awards nominee Jelly Roll and first-time performer K. Michelle. Both artists will take the CMA Awards stage tonight (Nov. 8) to perform “Love Can Build a Bridge” during the awards telecast.

Dowling has had a front row seat reporting on country music’s rapid expansion and growing popularity since joining The Tennessean in 2021. The award-winning journalist is also a screenwriter, whose credits include projects with Viacom, A&E Networks and more.

LoCash To Shed Light On Life Of Ranchers Through New 44 Farms Partnership

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Pictured (L-R): Chris Lucas (LoCash), Bob Mcclaren (44 Farms – 4th-Generation Rancher & President), Preston Brust (LoCash). Photo: Tadd Myers

LoCash has formed a partnership with 44 Farms, one of the largest registered Black Angus cattle operations in America.

The relationship between the ranchers and the duo sparked after a concert that took place in a red barn on the 44 Farms ranch in Cameron, Texas. LoCash penned an exclusive song for 44 Farms called “44 Strong,” and featured the picturesque location in a clip featuring 4th-generation rancher and President of 44 Farms, Bob McClaren.

“We fell in love with the place the moment we drove onto the ranch. We became old friends with everyone at 44 Farms the minute we shook hands,” shares LoCash’s Preston Brust.

The duo’s Chris Lucas agrees, “We’re storytellers and 44 Farms is a story that needs to be told. America needs to know what ranchers do, day in and day out.”

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44 Farms’ McClaren adds, “Ranching is not a job, it’s a lifestyle. The men and women in the cattle industry are honored to work 365 days a year. Rain, snow, or shine. From the moment we met Chris and Preston, we knew they had the passion and voices to sing this story. The song is named ‘44 Strong,’ but it’s not just about 44 Farms, it’s about every American rancher that came before us and will come after us. I want this effort to sing the praises of all ranchers in this industry.”

The duo will travel coast-to-coast in 2024 their “44 Strong” wrapped tour bus, as they perform their hits and share their appreciation for the ranchers dedicated to putting beef on America’s tables.

Taylor Freeman Rises To Senior Booking Manager At Outback Presents

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Taylor Freeman

Taylor Freeman has been promoted to Senior Booking Manager at Outback Presents.

Freeman began his career at WME in the music department before moving on to working with various regional and national concert promoters for several years and landing at Outback Presents. He has been with Outback Presents for four years, initially joining the company as a Show Coordinator and then rising to Booking Manager.

Freeman’s primary focus at Outback is working on comedy tours for comedians Leanne Morgan, Taylor Tomlinson, Heather McMahan and Dusty Slay.

“Working day to day with Taylor has been a wonderful experience,” says Michael Smardak, Outback Presents President. “He is dedicated to his family and clients. His future is so extremely bright, and he is so deserving of all the success he has achieved.”

Cirque Du Soleil Goes Country With New Touring Show For 2024

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Cirque du Soleil is teaming with Universal Music Group Nashville to bring a new high-flying, country music-themed touring show to audiences of all ages launching in Nashville in July 2024.

The new country-themed show will mesh captivating acrobatics and the soulful melodies of beloved country legends and contemporary stars for an unforgettable experience. The show will premiere in North America in July 2024 at Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville. Fans can register at cirquedusoleil.com/cirque-du-soleil-country ahead of the ticket sales for exclusive pre-sale, updates, and information. The general public on-sale begins on Dec. 6.

“We are thrilled at the idea of joining forces with Cirque du Soleil to offer a one-of-a-kind show celebrating classic and modern country music. Cirque du Soleil is a shining example of making the impossible, possible through creativity, collaboration, and emotion. The opportunity to highlight our incredible catalog and bring the history of country music to life in a live theatrical setting, will allow our music to live on with a new generation of audiences and country music fans,” says Cindy Mabe, Chair and CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville.

“Our collaboration with Universal Music Group Nashville presents an exciting opportunity for us to expand our creative horizons and reach new audiences, as we delve into the vibrant world of country music entertainment,” says Stéphane Lefebvre, President, and CEO of Cirque du Soleil.

Cirque du Soleil will be holding auditions for singers and multi-instrumentalists for the new show in Nashville from Dec. 4-7. More information about the audition process can be found at casting.cirquedusoleil.com/auditions-events.

Weekly Register: Zach Bryan & Morgan Wallen Maintain Multiple Top Five Slots

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Zach Bryan (Photo: Trevor Pavlik) & Morgan Wallen (Photo: David Lehr)

Zach Bryan and Morgan Wallen maintain their positions on both the country streaming songs chart and the country albums chart this week, as neither show movement among the top five according to Luminate data.

Bryan and Kacey Musgraves‘ “I Remember Everything” reigns at No. 1 on the country streaming songs chart with 17 million new streams, adding to 236 million ATD. Wallen’s “Last Night” remains at No. 2 with 12 million streams, adding to a billion ATD, followed once again by Bryan’s “Something In The Orange” at No. 3 with 11 million new streams, adding to a billion ATD. Wallen’s “Thinkin’ Bout Me” keeps the No. 4 slot with 9.9 million streams, adding to 450 million ATD, while Luke Combs‘ “Fast Car” cover continues at No. 5 with 8.9 million new streams, adding to 491 million ATD.

On the country albums chart, Wallen’s One Thing At A Time takes the top slot again with 64K in total consumption (1.9K album only/80 million song streams). Bryan’s self-titled project holds No. 2 with 44K (3.5K album only/52 million song streams), as Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album rests at No. 3 with 34K (312 album only/44 million song streams). Taylor Swift‘s Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) bides at No. 4 with 31K (13K album only/24 million song streams), and Bryan’s American Heartbreak persists at No. 5 with 27K (1.3K album only/34 million song streams).

Russell Dickerson Notches Fifth No. 1 With ‘God Gave Me A Girl’

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Russell Dickerson has notched his fifth No. 1 with “God Gave Me A Girl,” which hit the top spot on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart this week.

“God Gave Me A Girl” tells the story of a man who reflects on how God led him to the love of his life after a string of heartbreaks. Produced by Dickerson and Zach Crowell and penned by Dickerson, Crowell, Ashley Gorley and Chase McGill, the song draws inspiration from Dickerson’s wife, Kailey, and his own journey to finding love.

“It’s no secret this is a special song for me and to have it reach No. 1 is really such an honor,” says Dickerson. “The fact that so many people love and can relate to this song warms my heart. Thank you to country radio and the RDFam for all their support!”

Dickerson will wrap his “Big Wheels & Backroads Tour” with stops in St. Petersburg (Nov. 10) and Estero, Florida (Nov. 11). Dickerson recently announced an extension of the tour, which will kick off on Feb. 22 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dickerson also recently dropped a deluxe version of his self-titled album, Russell Dickerson: The Afterparty Deluxe, featuring 10 additional tracks, including five unplugged acoustic versions, four live fan favorites and a new song featuring Needtobreathe, “Red Dirt Church.”

Sheryl Crow To Release First Studio Album Since 2018 With ‘Evolution’

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Photo: Courtesy of The Valory Music Co.

2023 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Sheryl Crow will release her 11th full-length studio album, Evolution, on March 29.

The lead single from the project, “Alarm Clock,” is out now and was co-written Crow, Mike Elizondo and Emily Weisband. Featuring nine new songs, Evolution was produced by Elizondo and will be released via The Valory Music Co.

Crow had stated she would not release another full-length album after her collaborative album Threads in 2018, so the announcement came as a surprise. Threads featured some newer artists as well as Crow’s friends and heroes, including Willie Nelson, Jason Isbell, Keith Richards and more.

“Everything is more song-oriented now with streaming, and making an album is a huge endeavor,” says Crow. “I started sending just a couple of demos to Mike, but the songs just kept flowing out of me and it was pretty obvious this was going to be an album. This music and these lyrics came from sitting in the quiet and writing from a deep soul place. I said I’d never make another record, thought there was no point to it. But this music comes from my soul. And I hope whoever hears this record can feel that.”

Trish Williams Warren Passes

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Anna Patricia “Trish” Williams Warren, a longtime employee of producer Jerry Kennedy’s JK Productions, passed away Oct. 23. She was 78.

Warren grew up in Newton Grove, North Carolina, and after graduation, attended the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, graduating with a degree in music. She began her career as a middle school music arts teacher, but after a year, moved to Nashville to begin a career in the country music industry.

She took a job at Al Galico Music Publishing Company and in 1970, moved to Mercury Records, working with producer Jerry Kennedy. When Kennedy formed his own production company, JK Productions, she moved with him, working there until she retired. In 2007, she received the Source Foundation Award, which recognizes the achievements and contributions made by women in the country music industry.

After retirement from the music industry in 1991, Warren moved back to her hometown to marry her seventh-grade sweetheart, Larry Warren, and be closer to family. In retirement, she co-owned and operated Williams Sand & Gravel, which she inherited from her father. She also served Newton Grove Methodist Church and Hopewell Methodist Church for over 30 years, serving variously as pianist, organist, choir director and music director.

Warren is survived by her husband, Larry D. Warren, her sisters, Linda Williams Whitfield, DeLena Williams Bryan (and husband Mark) and Edna Williams McGuirt, all of Newton Grove. She is also survived by five nephews and 12 great nieces and nephews, as well as numerous cousins and friends.

The family received friends on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, at West & Dunn Funeral Home in Newton Grove. A Graveside funeral service was held at Hillcrest Cemetery in Newton Grove on Thursday, Oct. 26.

Memorials in Trish Williams Warren’s name may be made to the Newton Grove Methodist Church’s General Fund (P.O. Box 471, Newton Grove, NC 28366) or to Hopewell Methodist Church (4641 Church Road, Newton Grove, NC 28366) or to a charity of one’s choice.

HarbourView Acquires Select Publishing Assets From Kane Brown

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Kane Brown. Photo: Diwang Valdez

HarbourView Equity Partners (HarbourView) has purchased certain publishing assets from multi-Platinum and award-winning country star Kane Brown.

Some of Brown’s country chart-topping hits include “What Ifs,” which received eight-time Platinum RIAA certification, “Homesick,” “Used to Love You Sober,” “Like I Love Country Music” and “Lose It.” Additionally, Brown has had top 40 hits including “One Thing Right” and “Be Like That,” which both remained on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 23 and 22 weeks respectively. Brown has also collaborated with noteworthy artists such as Khalid, H.E.R., Marshmello, Becky G, John Legend and Nelly.

“Partnering with someone like Kane who adds such a beautiful texture to the country genre is consistent with who we are as a firm. Kane is a special talent, and we are excited to be on the journey,” says Sherrese Clarke Soares, HarbourView Equity Partners CEO & Founder

“I’m grateful to Sherrese and HarbourView for their belief in my songwriting catalog. These songs that I’ve written are very meaningful to my fans and my career,” shares Brown.

With the acquisition of some of Brown’s publishing assets, HarbourView adds to a diversified catalog of more than 24,000 songs across both master recordings and publishing income streams.

Fox Rothschild LLP served as legal counsel to HarbourView in this transaction. Brown was represented by Jess L. Rosen at Greenberg Traurig LLP. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.